One of our part which raised concern about security is the DiphTox part. The details regarding this part is discussed in the following page (http://parts.igem.org/Part:BBa_K2607000). The fact that this part originates from the modification of diphtheria toxin raises concern about safety and security, including the possibility of dual-use. Regarding safety issues, one of the main purposes of the creation of this part is to eliminate the toxic domain of the protein, leaving only the binding domain to be used as test device for HB-EGF/Tar chimeric receptor. However, this still leaves a security issue regarding dual-use possibilities. The creation of this part, if successful, are meant to be used solely as test device. In handling this condition, we applied to the safety committee to be allowed to not publish its full sequence in iGEM UI 2018 wiki. We have also discussed this matter with our PI, dr. Budiman Bela, and also with the Lab Biosafety Officer, Mrs. Aroem Naroeni, which also shared the safety aspects of our laboratory.
Figure 1. One of our lab member (Left) interviews Mrs. Aroem (Right) for asking any advices and suggestions regarding team’s project and lab safety.
The dual-use potential of our part meant that the sequence became a sensitive data. In managing sensitive data, our laboratory had applied several safeguards. It begins with logbooks which by the end of the project will be locked up and access will be limited. Other sensitive data, including viral genome sequences, are locked up in a password-protected computer. Anyone requesting access would only be given necessarily after signing an agreement to protect secrecy and by the end of their project, the exit clearance procedure requires the handling of all data to the lab. How much data will be published is a matter to be discussed together with the authorities of the laboratory.
As a part of the development of biosafety and biosecurity, iGEM UI team had recently been given the chance to be a speaker in a training conducted by the Indonesian Biorisk Association together with the Federal Bureau Interagency, regarding the potential of dual-use in our project. We planned to consult with the FBI experts about future usage of DiphTox part in this seminar by the end of October 2018.
